Vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool

ABSTRACT

A vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool utilizing a housing having a chamber surrounded by an inner surface of the housing. A vibrator and a battery are placed within the chamber. The vibrator includes a resilient collar to separate the vibrator from the housing inner surface. First and second adaptors are employed for the housing to be placed between the handle and the terminus of a concrete finishing tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel and useful vibration departing device for a concrete finishing tool.

Concrete finishing tools, such as floats, jointers, screeds and the like, are used to provide a particular finished surface adjusted to a freshly poured concrete mass. In the conventional method of use of such concrete finishing tools, an operator moves the tool across the surface of the freshly poured concrete, usually in a back and forth manner, before the concrete mass cures or dries.

It has also been recognized that the addition of a vibratory action to the concrete finishing tool aids in the creation of a surface, characteristic, such as a smooth surface and in the case of a jointer, possesses a groove to control cracking of the finish concrete slab.

In the past, various tools have been proposed to provide a vibration motion to concrete finishing tools. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,231,331, 6,988,851, 7,097,384, and 8,230,760 show concrete vibrating devices in which an external motor is mounted to a handle or shaft and linked to a remote vibration mechanism by the use of a cable or gear mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,217 shows a concrete finishing tool in which a power source is placed within the handle of the concrete finishing tool and provides power to vibrators that are located atop of the head of the finishing tool adjacent the concrete.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,569 and 7,465,121 show hand held cement and concrete finishing tools in which a vibrator is placed within the handle structure of the tools and powered by a battery that is also found in the handle. These tools do not show a method for controlling the vibration within the handle, other than by control of electrical power to the vibrating mechanism.

A vibration and imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that is self-contained and between the handle and terminus of the concrete finishing tool and allows for optimum vibration of the vibrating mechanism would be a notable advance in the construction arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool is herein provided.

The device of the present invention utilizes a housing having a chamber formed by an inner surface or wall of the housing. The housing is sized to accommodate a vibrator and an electrical battery to provide electrical power to the vibrator.

The vibrator, positioned within the chamber of the housing, includes a resilient collar that surrounds and contacts the vibrator in the housing inner wall. The resilient collar forms a spaced relationship between the vibrator and the housing inner surface within the chamber. In addition, an anchor holds the vibrator within the chamber in the spaced relationship formed by the collar lying between the housing inner surface and the vibrator.

A first adaptor removably connects the housing to the handle of the concrete finishing tool, while a second adaptor removably connects the housing to the terminus of the concrete finishing tool.

At least one spacer is interposed the electrical battery and the housing inner wall. A holder is also used to fix the electrical battery within the housing chamber. In this manner, the spacer and the holder obviates damage to the battery due to the vibratory motion and imparted by the vibrator.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool is hereinabove provided.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that may be removably located between the handle and terminus of a concrete finishing tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that utilizes a vibrator that is resiliently suspended within a housing and allowed to impart vibration by the use of resilient collar placed between the inner wall of the housing and the vibrator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that is adaptable for various finishing tool terminii such as floats, jointers, screeds, and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that is simple to retrofit in a concrete finishing tool and is easy to operate and maintain for use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool that is relatively lightweight and easy to handle due to a compact structure.

The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded and broken sectional view of the vibration imparting device of the present invention interposed the handle and the terminus of a concrete finishing tool.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side partial elevational view of a concrete finishing tool with the device for imparting vibration of the present invention installed therein.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

An embodiment of the invention as whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10. Device 10 is intended to impart vibration to a concrete finishing tool 12 shown in FIG. 4.

Device 10, FIG. 1 includes, as one of its elements, a housing 14 which may take the form of a cylindrical tube formed of any rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, and the like. For example, aluminum tubing suffices in the construction of housing 14. Housing 14 is sized to accommodate installation in existing concrete finishing tools, which will be discussed in greater detail as the specification continues.

Again, referring to FIG. 1, it may be observed that a vibrator 22 is position within chamber 20 of housing 14. Vibrator 22 may take the form of a vibrator sold under the designation “Grand Daddy Vibrator”, model number TS770, 4.0-14 VDC, 1.4, inches diameter, sold by Surplus Traders, New York City, N.Y. Most importantly, vibrator is supported within chamber 40 by a resilient collar 24 which extends around vibrator 22 at end 26 thereof. Collar 24 may be constructed of rubber, plastic or other like material. Resilient collar 24 forms a space 28 between inner walls or surface 18 of housing 14 and vibrator 22, FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the vibrations indicated by vibration lines 30, FIG. 1, imparted by vibrator 22 are transmitted to housing 14 and to terminus of a finishing tool connected to housing 14 via resilient collar 24. As my be apparent from FIG. 2, vibrator 22 includes an outer plastic sheath 23 that directly contacts resilient collar 24. In addition, eccentric disc 25 of vibrator 22 is shown extended from motor plate 27. Eccentric disc turns per directional arrow 29 in creating vibrations. The connection of housing 14 to a concrete finishing tool 12 will be discussed hereinafter. An anchor 32 maintains the establishment of space 28 between vibrator 22 and housing 14. Anchor 32 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as set screws 34 and 36 which extend through housing 14 and bear against end 38 of vibrator 22. In this manner, vibrator 22 is biased to move at end 26, nearest to finishing tool terminus 66, FIG. 4. Contact of vibrator 22 directly to inner surface 18 of housing 14 would greatly impede the imparting of vibration to finishing tool 12.

Again, with respect to FIG. 1, it may be seen that an electrical battery 40 is also located in chamber 20 of housing 14. Electrical battery may take the form of a 14.4 volt NiCAD, 12 cell, 4,000 MAH, item number TEC90012, available from Batteries Plus of Rocklin, Calif. Battery 40 is positioned or fixed within chamber 20 against movement by the friction of spacers 42 and 44 mounted to the end portions of electrical battery 14. Consequently, electrical battery 14 fits snuggly within chamber 20 of housing 14. However, additional screws may be passed through housing 14 to engage spacers 42 and 44 to prevent slippage of electrical battery 40 within chamber 20 (not shown). An electrical switch and conventional connectors 46 electrically connect electrical battery 40 to vibrator 22 and permit the activation of vibrator 22 from the exterior of housing 14.

A first adaptor 48 is also found in device 10 and includes a flange 50 that fits within chamber 20 within housing 14. Set screws 52 and 54 extending through housing 14 engage flanges 50 when it is placed within chamber 14 in order to hold first adaptor to housing 14. First adaptor also includes a plate 56 and a tube 58 which is welded to plate 56. Tube 58 is intended to be connected to the handle 60 of concrete finishing tool 12, FIG. 4, and, in the embodiment depicted in the drawings, serves as a female end to device 10. A set screw 62 passes through handle 60 and engages tube 58 in order to hold device 10 to handle 60.

A second adaptor 64, FIG. 1, connects device 10 to the terminus 66 of concrete finishing tool 12. Concrete finishing tool 12 is depicted in FIG. 4, as being a float. Adaptor 64 includes a flange 66 that fits within chamber 20 of housing 14 and is fixed there within by set screws 70 and 72. A hollow boss 74 is welded to flange 68 and includes a tube 76 which extends outwardly from the same. Set screws 78 and 80 hold tube 76 within hollow boss 74.

Referring to FIG. 4, it may be observed that tube 76 serves as a male fitting and fits within a coupler 82 of concrete finishing tool terminus 66. A set screw 84 holds tube 76 to terminus 66 and, thus, holds device 10 to terminus 66. It should be realized that a conventional spring loaded button on tube 76 may interact with an opening in coupler 82 of terminus 66 to serve as a quick installing and removing mechanism in substitution for set screw 84.

In operation, the user inserts device 10 between handle 60 and terminus 66 of concrete finishing tool, FIG. 4. Tube 58 of first adaptor 48 fits within hollow handle 60. Likewise, second adaptor 64 allows the connection of device 10 to terminus 66 of concrete finishing tool 10 by the use of a tube 76 which fits into hollow adaptor 84 of terminus 66. Set screws 62 and 84 connect adaptors 48 and 64 to handle 60 and terminus 66 of concrete finishing tool 12, respectively. Once device 10 is installed as shown in FIG. 4, the concrete finishing tool 12 is moved along the surface 86 of soft concrete mass 88 to effect the particular finish on surface 86. In the instance where concrete finishing tool is a float, as shown in FIG. 4, a smooth surface 86 is produced. However, other concrete finishing tools may be employed to produce a rough surface or to create grooves in concrete mass 80, as is the case with a jointer. Nevertheless, vibrations originated from vibrator 22 within casing 14 of device are biased for transmission through adaptor 64 to concrete finishing tool 12 is indicated by vibration lines 90.

While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration imparting device for a concrete finishing tool having a handle and a terminus; comprising: a. a, housing, said housing including a chamber therewith in formed by an inner surface of said housing; b. a vibrator, said vibrator being positioned within said chamber of said housing; c. a resilient collar surrounding and contacting said vibrator and said housing inner wall, said resilient collar forming a spaced relationship between said vibrator and said housing inner surface within said chamber; d. an anchor said anchor holding said vibrator within said chamber at said spaced relationship between said vibrators and said housing inner surface; e. an electrical battery, said electrical battery being positioned within said housing chamber adjacent said vibrator, and providing electrical power to said vibrator; f. a first adaptor, said first adaptor connecting to said housing removably linking said housing to the handle of the concrete finishing tool; and g. a second adaptor said second adaptor connecting to said housing and removably linking said housing to the terminus of the concrete finishing tool.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which said anchor comprises at least one set screw.
 3. The device of claim 1 which additionally comprises at least one spacer interposed said electrical battery and said housing inner wall.
 4. The device of claim 1 which further comprises a holder for fixing said electrical battery within said housing chamber.
 5. The device of claim 4 in which said anchor comprises at least one set screw.
 6. The device of claim 1 which additionally comprises at least one spacer interposed said electrical battery and said housing inner wall. 